Framingham grants license to Zagster for bikesharing

Framingham on Wednesday joined the growing list of cities giving bikesharing a try, granting an exclusive two-year license to Zagster.

The program will operate under the company's Pace service beginning in spring 2019, the city said in a press release Wednesday.

No public money is being committed to the program, and the city is working with Zagster to identify appropriate locations and private sponsors for the service.

Zagster and Pace will begin a pilot program with at least 50 bikes across the city. The program will be scaled up to match rider demand.

In a press release, Mayor Yvonne Spicer called bike sharing an increasingly important part of transportation systems.

"We are thrilled to get rolling with Pace," she said. "Framingham is our state's newest city, and a bikeshare program will help people who work, live or study here make the most of what we have to offer."

Unlike the short-lived dockless ofo bikes in Worcester, Pace bikes can lock to stations to provide predictability and flexibility for riders while preserving order and safety for communities, the press release said.

Bikes can be unlocked and returned to one of Pace's dedicated bike racks, any public bike rack or from other bike securing locations throughout the city.

According to Zagster's website, the company calls itself the U.S. market leader in bikesharing with more than 200 programs in 35 states.